New Orleans Saints Draft Short List: Round 1 - 11

2017 Nfl draft started out CB heavy as injuries mounted and the law got involved players tumbled and the strongest area of the draft weakened. So draft boards are mess in what was suppose to be day 1 that did not have a lot of reaching. Alas the best laid plans of mice and men goes up in smoke.

Round 1

There are two players in round one that fit the saints like glove, O.J. Howard and Christian McCaffrey. I look at what DA is trying to build and have little glues because of all the injuries in 2016. I look at his history in Oakland and would think a top of his list would be Jonathan Allen and Malik Hooker, both of which should be off the board so lets move down the list, Haason Reddick, Marlon Humphrey and problem child Reuben Foster.

Jonathan Allen DE/DT Alabama 6025 294 4.85 #93 Sr

Instant destruction inside and outside on the DL

Mr Beast of Versatility In a 4-3 scheme, Allen could play end or tackle. He also could serve as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4 defense. He’s damn near unblockable in a lot of games. He’s not a special athlete but he’s extremely strong and an outstanding technician. He can drive offensive linemen back by staying low and relying on his strength or disengage with blockers using his violent hands to clog up rushing lanes.Perfect example of three tech or five tech.

Do the Saints replace Cook with a TE that has WR skill set? Bring back memories of Jimmy Graham but with blocking skills. Most importantly offer them an out from what might be the worse contract in the NFL when year 3 kicks in for Fleener in 2018.

Perennial Pro Bowler Freak? He is an under-utilization recieving TE that offers mismatch opportunities and under valued blocker,“His upside is through the roof,” another scout said, referring to Howard. “He’s a phenomenal human being and a great worker. At Alabama, you’re a blocker first and a receiver second. He’s grown as a blocker from a toughness and effort standpoint, and as a receiver he’s still a little untapped.” Howard is an explosive athlete with breakaway speed, lateral agility, and balance and is projected to be a tight end/hybrid slot receiver that is more reliable run blocker than people give him credit for. "like the upside"

The Cook Effect that really did not pan out as a replacement for "The effect" that Sproles and Bush had was fundamentally a failure thus the trade. SP loves his toys and has a history of chasing them all over the board and in FA to get the toy of his dream. So based on history I have the saints picking. I see Dalvin Cook as a better fit in Carolina. Mr versatility . A premier Swiss army knife weapon like Brian Westbrook and Reggie Bush without cutting into any starting RB carries.

Fits a SP offense like a glove. SP can dust off those old Bush play books with this pick, He can run, he can catch, and he can return kicks and punts. A combined version Westbrook.and Bush. Appears to see the field in slow-motion.and anticipates extraordinarily well. Makes decisions quickly and doesn’t waste much movement. Can stop his momentum on a dime and quickly get back to full speed. Very good ability to change direction and a very efficient spin-move. Very good pass-catcher that is an above-average route-runner. Consistent and attentive in pass-protection and does everything he can for his quarterback. Still needs refinement as a pass blocker. But a player in SP offense that will have to forced off the field and snap counts watched.

The saints do not have a true FS on the roster with the ability to create TO in center field. A lot of this pick is upside

Hooker is able to make so many plays on the ball because of his incredible vision and range. He does a great job of reading the quarterbacks eyes and taking off towards the intended target as soon as the QB commits. Once he gets to the ball, his ball skills are put on full display. He looks like one of the best defensive backs in the nation. The talented safety can sometimes bite on fakes. Mental break downs are a bit too comon so how steep the learning curve will be with this rSo? tackling needs work. Hooker is a unique prospect because, while his flaws are readily apparent against the run, his range, instincts and ball skills on the back end are rare. Teams in need of a true single-high free safety will love his seven interceptions from 2016—many of them the highlight variety—as well as the fact that he was the primary defender on just two pass completions of over 20 yards.

The king of off season hype and impact. This is an interesting pick and will have saints fans sitting on the edge of their seats as he develops. The kid gives you 110% all game long

A walk-on who had played running back and defensive back in high school. athleticism and quickness to put pressure on the quarterback. Reddick easily bends the edge as a pass-rusher, but can also function as a run-and-chase linebacker. His back side pursuit is clearly an asset. honor awarded by the team to wear a single-digit jersey number for the toughest players. He’s willing to play whatever position a team asks (team-first), was voted one of the toughest players at Temple (toughness), and he played in every game last year (dependable). He was productive (10.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss in 2016), and he brings an element the Saints desperately need on defense with his versatility, speed, and athleticism.

Rolling the dice a bit here and betting on upside. This is the effect of injuries and police reports No CB will probably cash in more than Marlon.

The “future NFL corner” written all over him? Great athleticism, size and speed. Bama CB worry me but....how do you tell a 1st rounder to return to school? “He’s the most complete corner I’ve seen come out of there,” said one scout. “He’s as violent I’ve ever seen a corner be. I guess a little of that comes from the dad and he just carried it over. He can be a big-time player but he’s got to get some eye discipline.” Relies too much on his physical gifts

Comments

McCaffrey was the guy. Damn, it'd made my year to see him as our No.1 pick. Even with Lattimore shockingly falling. Still convinced Carolina took him to keep McCaffrey from the B&G more than they wanted him.

What is Nick Saban doing with those Bama players; by the time those guys get out of there, they're already physically crippled. Allen has been a fine player, but shoulder arthritis this early? That's scary